Tributes to Andy Pearce
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| Kevin Prime. Image - Ian Whitehouse. |
‘"When first appointed to the Manaaki Whenua Board, my immediate impressions were that Andy had far more empathy and commitment to Māori and Treaty of Waitangi issues than I did. This later became more evident in many ways but most significant to me was how he and his staff were able to forge and sustain a long-standing relationship with the Tūhoe people. Tūhoe iwi has had a long history of being insular and relatively unspoiled by Pākeha influence. To develop such interaction, in my mind, was a major achievement and testament of Andy’s commitment to helping Māori. Andy I salute you. Best wishes wherever life takes you."
Kevin Prime
Board Member 1998–2003
‘Ka nui te mihi ki a koe mo ngā mahi i mahia e koe mo Manaaki Whenua, me ngā iwi puta noa i te motu.‘
This is my tribute to you, and that of many iwi around the country, for the many things that you did on behalf of Landcare Research for Maori generally.
Kevin Prime, Ngāti Hine
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| Andy Pearce and John Kneebone 1992. Image - Judy Grindell. |
"In 1992, the change from government-funded research departments to independent, competitive companies was the most radical, comprehensive and disruptive that science had encountered in this country.
Andy led the establishment unit for the Institute of Land Environments (Manaaki Whenua’s provisional name), and then became the first Chief Executive for the new CRI. Building a new cohesive organisation from disparate fragments of predecessor organisations—three divisions of DSIR, part of FRI and part of MAF— was potentially a daunting task in itself. However, Andy also faced a new and demanding Board of Directors, anxious and unsettled staff scattered across 18 locations, new CRI legislation, and a new regime of “user pays” and bidding for research funding each year. Until the corporate building was completed in 1993, the Chief Executive’s offce was a cramped damp little room in an old state house on the Lincoln campus. That Andy did not complain is testimony to his boundless energy, mental agility, and disciplined focus on essentials. This engendered immediate respect and confidence from the Board.
Andy never wasted the Board’s time. His ideas and proposals were always thoroughly formulated, and presented with clarity and precision. The new CRI progressed early and rapidly with an ambitious building programme, and consolidation to strategic sites with universities. Some of these really tough challenges identified Andy as an exceptional leader. Working with him was not only rewarding, it was fun."
John Kneebone
Founding Chairman, 1991–1999
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| Morgan Williams. Image - Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment |
"In The Bone People, Keri Hulme wrote: “They are nothing more than people by themselves… But all together, they had become the heart, muscles and mind of something perilous and new, something strong and growing great. Together all together, they were instruments of change.”
Andy Pearce’s legacy to Manaaki Whenua is epitomised by this powerful articulation of what people growing and working together, with a shared vision and common goals, can achieve. The only resource that really matters for a science organisation is its people and their passion, intellect and willingness to weld individual strengths into the power of minds working collectively.
Andy’s focus on building his team and growing individuals’ capabilities, including his own, is the reason why the “orphan” CRI of 1992 is such a strong and influential organisation in 2005. Andy built a great team of leaders around him, including those with deep links into the knowledge of Māori; a team that has had remarkably stable membership. This team continues to amplify Andy’s vision and passion, growing the strengths and capabilities of all in the organisation.
This Manaaki Whenua human heart is the result of a passionate and tireless sustainability leader, the heart that is now contributing in many creative and influential ways to the thinking and knowledge creation for a more sustainable New Zealand. Thanks Andy!’
Morgan Williams
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
He rangatira he hoa matenga mōu, kia kore e whakarerea.
A leader to the end, whose friendship never ends
Pearce Building
As a tribute to Andy Pearce and his contribution to Manaaaki Whenua, the Board have named the corporate offce the Pearce Building.
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| Andy Pearce & the plaque in the Pearce Building | Presentation of pūtōrino carved by Paul Horton, one of our staff from Palmerston North |